1

P4 Programming Jobs (NOW HIRING)

In this role, you'll develop and optimize firmware, SDKs, simulators, and compilers for Cisco Silicon One architecture, with a strong focus on using the power of P4 (Programming Protocol-Independent ...

Software Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$155K - $222K/yr

In this role, you'll develop and optimize firmware, SDKs, simulators, and compilers for Cisco Silicon One™ architecture, with a strong focus on using the power of P4 (Programming Protocol ...

In this role, you'll develop and optimize firmware, SDKs, simulators, and compilers for Cisco Silicon One architecture, with a strong focus on using the power of P4 (Programming Protocol-Independent ...

Software Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

In this role, you'll develop and optimize firmware, SDKs, simulators, and compilers for Cisco Silicon One™ architecture, with a strong focus on using the power of P4 (Programming Protocol ...

Software Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$155K - $222K/yr

In this role, you'll develop and optimize firmware, SDKs, simulators, and compilers for Cisco Silicon One architecture, with a strong focus on using the power of P4 (Programming Protocol-Independent ...

Job Title P4-1 Function/Dept. Fabrication Reports to 2nd Shift Supervisor Supervises None Mission ... Able to make minor programming adjustments. * Able to troubleshoot program problems and machine ...

Job Title P4-1 Function/Dept. Fabrication Reports to 2nd Shift Supervisor Supervises None Mission ... Able to make minor programming adjustments. * Able to troubleshoot program problems and machine ...

Manufacturing Eng - P4

Dorado, PR · On-site

$60K - $77K/yr

Manufacturing Eng - P4 ( Sr. Manufacturing Engineer) Purpose Statement Provides support to the Manufacturing organization to facilitate efficient operations within the production area, to optimize ...

Manufacturing Eng - P4

Dorado, PR · On-site

$64K - $82K/yr

Manufacturing Eng - P4 (Sr. Manufacturing Engineer) Purpose Statement Provides support to the Manufacturing organization to facilitate efficient operations within the production area, to optimize ...

Compiler Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$140 - $190/hr

We are seeking a candidate who possesses strong engineering skills to tackle complex challenges in ... Familiarity with the P4 language or networking domain is not required, but it's a big plus. Come ...

Manufacturing Eng - P4

Dorado, PR · On-site

$64K - $82K/yr

Manufacturing Eng - P4 ( Sr. Manufacturing Engineer) Purpose Statement Provides support to the Manufacturing organization to facilitate efficient operations within the production area, to optimize ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

P4 Programming information

See salary details

$25K

$88.9K

$149K

How much do p4 programming jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for p4 programming in the United States is $88,946.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,500.00 and $116,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working with P4 programming in network environments?

Professionals working with P4 programming often encounter challenges such as debugging complex data plane behaviors, integrating P4 programs with existing network infrastructure, and keeping up with evolving hardware capabilities. Since P4 is used for programming network devices like switches and routers, ensuring compatibility and performance across various hardware platforms can be demanding. Collaboration with network engineers and software developers is common, as P4 programmers need to align their work with broader network architecture and security requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a P4 programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a P4 Programmer, you need a strong background in computer networking, data plane programming, and proficiency with the P4 language, often supported by a degree in computer science or electrical engineering. Familiarity with P4 toolchains, targets like BMv2 or Tofino, and network simulation environments is essential. Problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective collaboration are crucial soft skills for this role. These competencies are vital to efficiently design, implement, and troubleshoot programmable network data planes in modern network infrastructures.

Is P4 a programming language?

P4 is a domain-specific language used to program network data planes, such as switches and routers, rather than a general-purpose programming language. It allows network engineers to define how packets are processed and handled in hardware or software environments. P4 is often used in network device development and requires understanding of networking concepts and hardware programming.

What is P4 programming?

P4 programming involves writing code for programmable network devices such as switches and routers to define how packets are processed. It is used in software-defined networking (SDN) environments and requires knowledge of network protocols and hardware programming. P4 developers often work with specialized tools and simulation environments to test and deploy their code.

What other helpful pages are available for P4 Programming?

Other pages related to P4 Programming:

Infographic showing various P4 Programming job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $88,946 per year, or $42.8 per hour.

Software Engineering Technical Leader

Milpitas, CA • On-site

Cisco
Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Wholesalers • 10K+ employees

$192K - $275K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Cisco Systems rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 43 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

46th of 161 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 09/25/2026

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Meet the team

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Software Engineer to join our team. Cisco 8000 Series Routers which are built on Cisco's SiliconOne architecture and designed for hyperscale networks, global service providers, and large enterprises. In this role, you'll develop and optimize firmware, SDKs, simulators, and compilers for Cisco Silicon One architecture, with a strong focus on using the power of P4 (Programming Protocol-Independent Packet Processors). This is a phenomenal opportunity to work with pioneering technology that's shaping the future of networking! You'll be part of a diverse team dedicated to delivering innovative, high-quality solutions on Cisco 8000, featuring the latest Silicon One ASICs. You will play a key role in developing the SDK and/or control plane for networking protocols, collaborating with talented colleagues to drive industry-leading advancements. Join us and be a part of something outstanding!

Your impact

As a Software Engineer, you will design and develop a broad set of advanced networking features. With the foundational capabilities of our nextgeneration platforms already established, this role offers a true groundfloor opportunity to drive the next phase of product growth. You will help shape our convergence strategy in the Service Provider space and deliver highimpact features powering Web, Cloud, Data Center, and Mobile networking solutions.

  • Design, implement, and test C, C++, or P4 programs to define packetprocessing behaviors on highperformance network devices.

  • Build, optimize, and enhance the backend of the P4 compiler to fully leverage the capabilities of advanced networking hardware.

  • Solve complex resourcemanagement challenges and optimize resource allocation across programmable networkprocessing pipelines.

  • Collaborate closely with ASIC engineers to ensure seamless integration of P4 programs with nextgeneration IC designs, including providing compiler support throughout hardware development cycles.

  • Participate in the design and implementation of new C, C++, or P4 language features to support the evolving needs of network application developers.

  • Develop Pythonbased test frameworks and author Python test cases to validate SDK functionality and ensure correctness, performance, and reliability of P4based dataplane programming.

  • Proactively identifies and participates in the resolution of sophisticated problems that impact the direction of the business.

  • Develops and delivers innovative approaches that benefit customers and/or clients.

  • Leads major business projects which impact a region or entire function.

  • Contributes to the development of annual organizational objectives/priorities.

  • Builds and maintains long-term relationships with key stakeholders to ensure products and services reflect the needs and direction of the business.

  • Translates and influences the regional or functional strategic vision into a technical vision with clear engineering priorities, ensuring understanding and alignment across teams.

  • Leads, mentors, and influences senior engineers

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelors + 12 years of related experience, or Masters + 8 years of related experience

  • Experience in software design and development using C, C++, or P4, including contributions to productionquality systems.

  • Experience in troubleshooting, debugging, and resolving sophisticated software issues across large, distributed codebases, with practical experience in using tools such as GDB, PDB, etc.

  • Experience with Layer 2 (L2) and Layer 3 (L3) networking technologies, protocols, and dataplane behaviors.

  • Experience inPythonwith the ability to develop scalable, maintainable, and production-ready software solutions.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with networkprocessor software programming is a strong plus.

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we're revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era - and beyond. We've been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you'll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:The starting salary range posted for this position is $192,400.00 to $275,800.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.

Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco's plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco's policies:

  • 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees

  • 1 paid day off for employee's birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco

  • Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees

  • Exempt employees participate in Cisco's flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)

  • 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours ofunused sick timecarried forwardfrom one calendar yearto the next

  • Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members

  • Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco's policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

  • .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;

  • 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;

  • 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and

  • Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

New York City Metro Area:

$214,100.00 - $356,300.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$192,400.00 - $317,200.00

* For quota-based sales roles on Cisco's sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.


What Cisco Systems employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Cisco Systems logo

About Cisco Systems

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Cisco Systems, a global tech titan based in San Jose, CA, US, operates in the information technology and services industry. Founded in 1984, the company was derived from a project between two computer scientists from Stanford University. They aimed to connect different networks of computer systems at the university, resulting in the first multi-protocol router, and subsequently, the birth of Cisco. As an industry-leading manufacturer of networking hardware and telecommunications equipment, Cisco's product and services range includes routers, switches, firewall devices, and telecommunication technology. The company's mission, "to shape the future of the Internet by creating unprecedented value and opportunity for our customers, employees, investors, and ecosystem partners," is a testament to its pursuit of technology-forward innovation and customer satisfaction.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Jose, CA, US

Year founded

1984

Social media